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The Simpsons Arcade Review

Simpsons Arcade has been a long time coming for the consoles. With classic games like Streets of Rage, Final Fight, and X-Men Arcade making their way to consoles many fans waited with much anticipation for this one to grace our downloadable markets. Does the game hold true to what we experienced as children or did it get stale with age?

Pros:

Co-op: Just like when you were using quarters to play the game features four player co-op. The co-op can be either local or online and is where the game shines. Just like other arcade fighters such as Street Fighter and X-Men Arcade that ventured to consoles beforehand, it is much more fun when played with a group of four.

Extras: Not only does Simpsons Arcade have the US version of the game, it also comes with the Japanese ROM as well. The Japanese version adds more power ups, a new projectile, and stackable health. There are a few different modes of play included as well. You can play survival where you try to play through the game with only one life. If you are more of a team player, the option of team quarters is there where four players will try and beat the game sharing a total of 40 lives.

Depth: Just like other arcade brawlers you have basic beat em up attacks, but Simpsons Arcade offers a little more than the basics. There are team up attacks, like Homer and Marge teaming up to roll around the screen. The game gets difficult at the later levels and that is where the projectile and melee weapons will come in handy.

Cons:

Length: While this isn’t something that could have been helped with it just being a port of the original, the game is a little on the short side. With a group that plays well as a team you could get through the game in less than an hour. Playing through a second time to experience the Japanese version does add some more time but some might be turned off by how fast you can complete the game.

In Conclusion:

Fans are still watching The Simpsons after 23 seasons and fans of this game will now be able to play it long after the show goes off the air. We will keep battling with our skateboards, jump ropes, vacuums, and fists until we make sure that Maggie is safe once and for all. With its four player co-op and nostalgia factor, Simpsons Arcade is a steal at 800 MSP and I would recommend it to any fan of the classic game or the show.